Combined jack and selecting switch



Oct. 30, 1928.

J. J. KUHN COMBINED JACK AND SELECTING SWITCH Filed Dec. 29, 1924Patented Oct. 30, 1928.

' vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. KUHN, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN-ELECTRICCOM- PANY, INCORPORATED, F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMBINED JACK ANI) SELECTING SWITCH.

Application led December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,528.

This invention relates to switching devices foruse particularly'incentral radio receiving stations. v

The object of the invention is to provide a A compact and inexpensiveswitching unit which may be used to connect a piece of apparatusconnected to a plug to any one of a large numbery of different lines.

A structure embodying the invention com- Hl prises a jacksleeve-rotatably mounted in an aperture in a panel, the sleeve carryinga number of brushes which when the sleeve is rotated successively engagea row of contacts arranged around the aperture, these contacts .5 beingconnected to the different lines. A spring insulatingly mounted on thesleeve 'directly behind the aperture is connected to one of the brushesand is engaged by the tip of the plug when inserted in the sleeve, the20 sleeve of the plug engaging the rotatable jack sleeve which latter ismetallically connected to the other brush. The front of the jack sleevecarries a dial to indicate the position of the brushes.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view in cross-section of the jack and selecting switchof this invention. Fig. 2 is a rear plan vieiv showing the arrangementof the contacts witlrrespect to the springs. f

Fig. 3 illustrates an indicator for changing` the position of thecontact springs. Fig. 4 is a modification of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rearView of Fig. 4l. A panel of insulating material, preferilar material arefastened together and each is provided with a central aperture 12 and 13through which a tubular metallic sleeve 14 extends. The sleeve 14- isprovided with an integral flange 15 which limits thc inward movement ofsaidl sleeve. A Washer 16 and a nut 17 are arranged on the sleeve 14 toprevent rotation thereof. A rotatable metal sleeve 18 of such a diameterto slida-bly lit in sleeve 11i isprovided with a rectangular aperturedmetal block 19 which is rigidly fastened to the Arotatable sleeve 18 bymeans of set screw 20. Ak plurality of contactstuds 21 are arranged .ina circle aboutthe axis of the rotatable sleeve 18`and fastened to therear of the sub-panel 11 by means of screws 22. A resilient spring 23 isfastened to the upper surface of metal block 19.by means of screw 24,and bent at right angles to its supportably phenol libre, andasub-'panel 11 of sim-l ing plane,.whereby the free end of the springlis adapted to engage the radial contacts 21. A cooperating resilientspring 25 is provided with an extending portion 26 bent to form a loopwith the free end thereof in the plane of the aperture in the rotatablesleeve 18. The spring 25 is insulatingly supported from ,the lowersurface of the metal lblock 19 by insulating washers 27 and 28 andscrews 29 and also engages the contacts 21. The rela-A tive position ofthe springs 23 and 25 are diametrically opposite and adapted tosequentially engage the contacts of each semicircle.

An apertured indicating pointer 30 of any desired material is attachedto the end of the rotatable sleeve 18 adjacent to the panel 10. Thelpointer is provided with a knob 32 for turning the same.v Thisarrangement provides va rotatable switch in which a telephone plug 33may be inserted to connect a single line with a large number ofdifferent lines by means of the circuit established between the plugsleeve 34 and the rotatable sleeve 18 through spring 23, and the tip 35of plug 33 and spring 25.

In the modification disclosed inFig. 4, the contacts 21 are arranged intwo concentric circles around the axis of the rotatable sleeve 18 andthe resilient springs 23 and 25 are support-ed from the lower surfaceIof the metal block 19. The resilient spring v23is mechanicallyconnected to metal block 19 and engages the inner row'of contacts 21.The spring 25 is insulatedly supported on said metal block and engagesthe outer row of contact 21. This allows a greater number of contacts/tobe placed on the panel, thereby obtaining access to a greater number oflines. x

lt is, of course, understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific device as shownand that various modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined jack and selecting switch comprising a panel having anaperture therein., terminals arranged on said panel around saidaperture, a metallic' sleeve rotatably mounted in said aperture, anumber of brushes 105 arranged to rotate with said sleeve and tosuccessively engage said terminals when said sleeve is rotated, acontact located behind said aperture, said sleeve Aand contact providingcircuit terminals for a cooperating plug. 11g

2. A combined jack and selecting switch comprising a panel having anaperture therein, terminals arranged on said panel around said aperture,a metallic sleeve rotatably mounted in said aperture, a pair of brushesrotating with said sleeve one metallically connected thereto and oneinsulatedly mounted thereon, and a contact located behind said apertureand metallically connected to said latter brush, said sleeve and contactproviding circuit terminals for a cooperating plug.

3. In combination, a switch comprising a panel-having an aperture, a.plurality of contacts on said panel around said aperture, a

rotatable metallic tubular member positioned in said aperture, brushessupported on said member for engagingvsaid contacts, one of said brushesbeing insulated from said member and having a bent portion, the-free endof said bent portion being located behind said aperture, said member andlatter brush providing circuit terminals for a cooperating plug, andmeans on said member for changing the position of said brushes.

4. In combination, a switch comprising a panel having an aperture, aplurality of contacts on said panel around said aperture, `a metallicsleeve ixed ,in said aperture, a rotatable tubular metallic memberpositioned in said sleeve, brushes mounted on said rotatable tubularmember for engaging said contacts7 lone of said brushes'being insulatedfrom said member and having a bent portion, the free end of said bentportion being located behind said aperture, said sleeve and latter'brush providing circuit terminals for a cooperating plug, and means onsaid tubular member for changing the position of said brushes.

5. In combination, a centrally apertured panel and sub-panel, aplurality of contacts mounted on said sub-panel around said aper ture, ametallic sleeve Jfastened in said subpanel, a rotatable metallic tubularmember positioned in said sleeve, brushes mounted on said rotatabletubular member and engaging said contacts, one of said brushes beinginsulated iroi'n said member and having a bent portion, the free end ofsaid bent portion being located behind said aperture, said sleeve andlatter brush providing circuit terminals for a cooperating plug, meanson said tubular member for changing the position of said brushes and anindicator on said tubular member.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day ofDecember, A. D., 1924:.

JOHN J. KUHN.

